Comcast Fined $2.3 Million for Mischarging Customers

NEW YORK - Government regulators are fining Comcast $2.3 million, saying the cable giant has charged customers for stuff they never ordered, like premium channels or extra cable boxes.

The Federal Communications Commission says the Philadelphia company must clearly ask customers before charging them for new services or equipment and make it easier for customers to fight charges they think are wrong.

The agency says it's the largest civil fine for a cable operator, though likely not too great a financial burden for Comcast Corp., which recorded a profit of more than $8 billion last year.

The Philadelphia company said Tuesday that it's been working to improve customer service and that the problems uncovered by the FCC stemmed from "isolated errors or customer confusion" rather than Comcast intentionally mischarging customers.

Washington state is also suing Comcast for $100 million, saying the cable and Internet provider misled consumers about the scope of its service protection plan, charged fees for services that were supposed to be free, and conducted improper credit checks.

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